Eventually, you arrive at a stage where the skill can be applied autonomously. You can think, in some cases even talk, while doing it.
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This theory may have holes or flaws, but you can see how it relates to Zen and disciplines stressing effortless practice.
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Effortless practice is a level you get to after lots of effortful, often harrowing practice. But when you get there, it's the only way to go
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Because when you reach this level of refinement in any skill, *thinking* about it actually represses your abilities.
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Your advancement is contingent precisely on learning so many fruitful habits of action that it takes no thought to execute your skill.
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When you start thinking about it, you find your skill lowers to the level of the cognitive or associative stage. Deliberate and very clumsy.
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I've practiced enough meditation that for me, thinking about meditating makes me... not meditate. This is the key insight of Zen practice.
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But to get to the level where this even makes sense talking about, you do have to practice - slowly and deliberately.
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In every area where skill can be cultivated, people frequently fall into the trap of trying to imitate adepts before they practice anything.
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This is always a giant waste of time, and incredibly frustrating to attempt (been there, done that). You lack the necessary fundamentals.
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So if you're just getting into meditation, and your practice is not yet at the stage where you can just tune out freely... do make an effort
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Whereas if you've been practicing for a long time and still can't get that gibbering voice in your head to calm down... try relaxing.
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Try to meditate while doing something else. Just say to yourself "I'm meditating now," and let it do its thing.
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